Today is our 20th wedding anniversary. I was thinking about our vows and how we had no idea what was in store for us! Here is the application of our vows 20 years later in view of how our lives have changed with Sarah. Basically, what we know now that we didn’t know then!
“I, Jill, take you, David, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward”
20 years later of daily application: To hold me when I am so exhausted. To let me sob into your chest when Sarah used to smear her poop all over her bedroom walls when she was little. Or, this on-going crying she is doing, or another sleepless night with Sarah and I feel like I am at the end of my rope. You hold my hand and look into my eyes and remind me we are in this together. You pray over me for the Lord to fill the spaces in my heart that only He can to strengthen and sustain me.
“For better or for worse”
20 years later of daily application: You always make the worst days better. God has given you a big picture mind-set when I can’t seem to see even past the next five minutes. I am thankful that the Lord always has made it for us that if one of us is down or overwhelmed, the other is not. It truly is Ecclesiastes 5:9-10a:
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up.”
“For richer, for poorer”
20 years later of daily application: When the Behavioral Psychologist said Sarah is ‘your million dollar child’ when she was 3 years old, we thought it was a figure of speech meaning that the costs for her care will be expensive. Now, we think he meant it literally! 🙂 Yet, here we are. God has continued to provide and sustain us. You have shown by example that when a bill comes in (or just this past weekend when our old dryer finally gave out or when we had that sewer pipe in our basement break this winter), that we need to trust the Lord because He knows our needs and He will take care us.
“In sickness and in health”
20 years later of daily application: We had no idea that sickness could mean one of our children and the road we are walking. I am so thankful you are involved with her care, joining me for doctor and specialist appointments when you can. You are so good remembering details and dates. I think it is funny that the doctor just asks you because she knows you will know! I love how you celebrate with me on her successes. I know she is pleased, too. She adores you! While the words are not always there, her eyes tell you she loves her Daddy!
“To love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”
20 years later of daily application: I love you more than I did 20 years ago when we stood on stage at church vowing this covenant between us and the Lord in front of our family, church family and friends. My love for you has deepened and matured to appreciate the man God has given me. I cherish your love for the Lord, your Godly integrity in everything you do, your love for me and the kids, your friendship, your sense of humor, your hard work ethic, but most of all..YOU!
I mentioned in an earlier blog we had the Scripture reference Proverbs 3:5-6 engraved in our wedding bands. We actually engraved two references. The other is Psalm 126:3, which reads:
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
20 years later of daily application: So true!! 🙂
Thank you everyone for your faithful prayers for Sarah and for us!
Praying for Sarah G 
O my word! I’m balling like a baby! So beautiful!! And so true! Your marriage is an inspiration and great example to everyone! Love you both! Can’t believe it has been 20 years! The Lord really has done great things for you, and the joy He has given filled us all!
Thank you, sweet sister! Love you! I will say it again, thanks for fixing me up with this guy you know at work. I wasn’t too excited about this blind date, but once again, sister knows best! 🙂
Congratulations! Twenty years of marriage! Beautiful! I hope you are feeling better today dear, Jill! I love you! Deborah
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Love you! Yes, I am feeling better. Not sure what that was, but I don’t want it to return! 🙂 Thank you for praying!
The commitment you both share for one another and to your vows before God is an example of the love God intended for the world to see. He has given great struggles to keep you dependent, and blessings to keep rejoicing in God your Savior.
Thank you, Sue! Deeply grateful for you and Larry faithfully praying for us all these years!
God bless both of you as you continue your faithful journey of love.
Thank you, Cheryl! You are a wonderful prayer warrior and friend!!
Happy 20th Anniversary to two amazing people! Jill, I’m so thankful for your friendship and for your example of faithfulness as you continue to live out a challenging journey. This post is powerful. The Speak Up Conference is June 26-28…and we loved having you with us last year. Thank you for writing this blog! It blesses me and so many other people!
I am thankful for you, Carol!! I cherish our friendship! I truly wish I could come this year to Speak Up. I plan on attending next year!! I would have never done this blog without Speak Up. I drove the entire way home praying asking the Lord what He wanted me to do with all this information. (It is an EXCELLENT conference!!) The Lord brought to mind the blog sessions at the conference and how it can be a way to ask for prayer and keep people updated on Sarah. David and I were so discouraged with her non-stop crying. At that point, it marked 2 years of non-stop crying and we needed prayer! Bless you and your instructors. It truly was one of the best conferences I have ever attended. Practical, applicable information that I will use over and over again! Love you!!
Okay, this should be part of every “Before You Say ‘I Do'” class! Thank you for living out your promises to each other and God through daily choices and much prayer. I love your love story, and I love YOU!!
I love you!!!
Happy Anniversary and Congratulations to both of you for 20 long, sweet, difficult, trying, loving, blessed years!! You and your marriage are an incredible example of the peace, strength and providence that only God can bring to a marriage despite any and all trials and tribulations that will come into our lives and marriages. So many couples give up at the first sign of difficulty, but you have not only “stuck it out” through many (daily!) difficulties, but you have done it with faithfulness, humor, godliness, class and an awesome love for each other, your children & families, and God. You and David are an amazing example of marriage vows lived out. We love all of you and pray for MANY more years together!!
Love you, Charmagne! You are such a blessing!!
We knew the first time David came to the door and nearly fell into the bushes when he saw you…..that this could be something BIG!
As I said in your card this past week, “I love how you love each other”. You pull together as a team with the Lord as your captain of that team even through some almost seemingly impossible times .
We love you both!
Love, Mom and Dad
He will NEVER live that down! 🙂 Thank you! We have a great example to follow!! Love you both!
i prayed for you guys several times today. i am thankful that you have each other! happy, happy anniversary to you both!
Thank you, Sybille, for the beautiful gift of praying for us today. It truly means a lot. Bless you!